An uncertain number of people are feared dead and property destroyed as members of Eastern Security Network (ESN) set up by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) clashed with a combined team of police and soldiers in Orlu, Imo State.
The latest gun battle, yesterday, occurred at the Ogbosisi axis close to Banana junction in Orlu local Government Area when soldiers were said to be on their way for a revenge mission.
A viral video showed bodies lying on the streets or Orlu, including that of a woman, said to have been hit by a stray bullet.
Vehicles conveying armed soldiers were also seen. A clip showed soldiers lying on the ground and appearing to take aim.
Witnesses report sporadic shooting and residents took cover to avoid stray bullets. The shooting was heard as far as neighbouring communities of Okporo, Akata and Umutanze.
The crisis had been brewing since last week after a clash between ESN volunteers and police resulted in deaths.
The ESN had released a video, which went viral last week, showing its volunteers boasting how they dislodged security men who attacked them and displayed the vehicles the policemen had abandoned while escaping.
From Ogbosisi axis, the exchange of gun fire between ESN and security operatives spread into other parts of Orlu, and snowballed into what eyewitnesses describe as a war-like atmosphere.
It was gathered many houses and shops were burnt in reprisal by soldiers following the alleged killing of one of them.
Last Friday, a policeman was also allegedly killed at Okporo, Orlu by some security operatives believed to be ESN members.
Scores were wounded in the ensuing confusion.
Meanwhile, Governor Hope Uzodimma has declared a dusk to dawn curfew in nine of the affected council areas.
Uzodimma, in a statement by his spokesman Oguwike Nwachuku, said the curfew followed disturbing report on the activities of a group of militants that unleashed mayhem on residents of Orlu.
He urged security agencies to fish out the perpetrators without fail.
The governor said the curfew was an interim measure to immediately restore the peace in the area.
